Imre Triisberg: Kuusalu’s big man on the basketball court

Imre Triisberg is a 21-year-old center for the TTÜ/A.Le Coq basketball team. Standing 204 centimeters tall and with roots in Kuusalu, he has clear goals: to play, develop and learn as much as possible from the Estonian championships.

It’s a midweek afternoon. Training has just finished, and another game awaits — this time against Ehitustööriist/Kalev. Confidence is high; they’re not going out there to lose. Both teams have just strengthened their rosters: American Stanley Blackmon and Leho Kraav are joining TTÜ, while Troy Coleman joins the opposition. “Well, we haven’t seen them at training yet,” Triisberg tells me quietly. All unfamiliar names, but that’s how it always goes when a new player arrives — a couple of training sessions, and you start to see how things will work together.

Imre Triisberg’s journey from Kuusalu to Tallinn

Growing up in Kuusalu, Imre played football for fun. He tried athletics and karate. Basketball, too. A couple of years ago, he won silver with his high school team at the Harju County youth championships — the Kiili boys had the edge. It’s a familiar story: many tall Estonian boys only find their way to basketball after trying and moving on from another sport.

Defeats teach you something. Right now, with things going better in training than in games, the aim is clear: to learn as much as possible from the Estonian championships. Every game is a lesson, every opponent another chance to see what still needs work. The journey from Kuusalu to Tallinn has been no small step — but it was never meant to be.

Imre Triisberg as a center: training, university and recovery

At 204 centimeters, he’s just the right height for a center. The position comes with specific responsibilities under the basket: blocking shots, battling for rebounds and holding position. It takes both strength and patience — and time for recovery, something a top-level basketball player never seems to have enough of.

His third year at Tallinn University of Technology demands its share of attention. He studies production technology in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering — hardly a degree where you can easily get away with skipping lectures. But for Imre, university and basketball go hand in hand: each reinforces the discipline needed for the other. When you have a lecture at eight in the morning and training at seven in the evening, your day is mapped out, whether you like it or not.

His recovery routine is in place, too. He came across the Tai Kane recovery drink by chance — or, more precisely, on the recommendation of Ants Kiisa, who led his strength training sessions. “It tasted good and worked well. The other guys on our team like it too,” Triisberg tells me. The simple truth is that after a hard workout, your body needs something back, or you won’t perform as well next time. It’s not rocket science; it’s part of the daily work.

Imre Triisberg on role models and teamwork

He and big Terry try to make the most of their position whenever they play. Coach Andres Sõber and the others help, sometimes with a few harsh words — that comes with the territory, because a gentle approach won’t mold centers into top-level players. In basketball, Imre looks up to the NBA’s white European players and, closer to home, of course, to Mürka, who currently plays for UNICS Kazan. He has even trained with him.

Triisberg’s guiding principle is to make sure you surround yourself with the right guys. In life as well as in sport. It’s more than just a saying — playing center is a team effort; you can’t make things happen there on your own. A rebound collected by a guard who holds his position is as much to the center’s credit as the guard’s. And vice versa.

Imre Triisberg: frequently asked questions

How tall is Imre Triisberg?

204 centimeters. A typical height for a center, giving him an advantage under the basket on both offense and defense.

Which team does Imre play for?

The TTÜ/A.Le Coq basketball team, coached by Andres Sõber. He also studies production technology in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Tallinn University of Technology.

Where is Imre from?

Kuusalu. As a child, he played football and tried athletics and karate before eventually settling on basketball.

Author: Aare Kreilis

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